Now, another announcement made last night is giving our nation’s netizens more reason to watch the mother of all beauty pageants.

Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco announced on his Instagram account last night that Canadian candidate Marta Magdalena Stępień visited his atelier to try on a few gowns before flying to Bangkok for her pre-pageant preparations.

And while he didn’t say which gown she chose, it’s highly likely that she will be appearing in the pageant, or at least a related Miss Universe event in Bangkok, wearing one of his creations.

Cinco wrote on his post: “Couture fitting with the super stunning Miss CANADA-Universe @stepien.magdalena in DUBAI before she flies for Bangkok to compete in Miss Universe 2018…Marta is probably one of the strongest contenders to win the crown this year…”

In his post, he showed Stępień wearing two gowns. Glamorous? Indeed, they are.

Cinco and Stępień seem to be pals — before this, she modeled for his show at Arab Fashion Week, which kicked off last week. She was one of the two models to close Cinco’s show.

The model also thanked him publicly on Instagram for getting to be a part of his show.

Image: Michael Cinco/IG

Stępień also posted a photo on her own account that showed her with the designer and another model on the catwalk. She wrote in a mix of English and Filipino: “Thank you for the honour of having me close your show with you, @michael5inco 🙏🏼 Thank you! Congratulations on your breathtaking collection.”